Karl Malone scored 23 points as the Utah Jazz beat the Dallas
Mavericks for the 21st consecutive time at home, 68-66, despite
an NBA record for fewest shots and the lowest output in
franchise history.

Dallas, which is 0-16 all-time at the Delta Center, last won in
Utah on February 9th, 1989, in the Salt Palace. The Jazz, who
won for the fourth straight time in this series, got 13 points
from Shandon Anderson.

Utah attempted just 53 shots, making 25 (47 percent). The old
record of 55 was shared by three teams and done most recently by
Milwaukee at Detroit on December 27th, 1994.

Dallas made 25-of-63 shots (40 percent) and the teams combined
for the fewest field-goal attempts in an NBA game, breaking the
previous mark of 121 set by Seattle and Cleveland on February
25th, 1997 and matched by Detroit and Cleveland 20 days later.

Utah's previous low total was 72 against Houston on November
4th, 1996. Dallas scored a franchise-low 62 points against
Milwaukee on November 22nd.

"Oh, man, that was a tough one to find any rhythm," said Jazz
forward Bryon Russell, who scored six points on 1-of-6 shooting.
"We came out with the 'W,' but it just as easy could have gone
the other way. They came in and did what they planned and almost
pulled it off.

Malone, who played in his 1,000th career game on Tuesday, has
led the team in scoring in 20 consecutive contests.

Dennis Scott scored 21 points for the Mavericks, who have lost
four straight games and 16 of 18. Dallas fell to 1-4 under
coach Don Nelson.

"I'm real proud of the way they carried out our game plan, it
really couldn't have been much better than we drew it up," said
Nelson. "I'd say most of the time we would make a lot more of
those outside shots and we would have won by 10 or more."

A tip-in and jumper by Michael Finley gave the Mavericks a 64-63
lead with 2:16 remaining before the Jazz made five straight free
throws to win the game. John Stockton made two from the line at
2:06, followed by Jeff Hornacek's two with three seconds to play
and one by Russell with six-tenths of a second left.

Prior to Hornacek's free throws, the Mavericks had a chance to
take the lead, but Finley held the ball on the wing before
passing to Scott at the top of the key as the shot clock
expired. On Dallas' next possession, Erick Strickland missed a
three-pointer.

The teams combined for just 28 points in the fourth quarter,
with Utah scoring 15.

"It doesn't make any difference, when a team comes out in your
building and puts you in that situation its going to be tough,"
said Jazz coach Jerry Sloan. "When teams come out and put you
in that situation, it puts more pressure on you. That's when
your patience is tested."

The game was tied 57-57 midway through the final period before a
six-point spurt by the Jazz gave them the advantage. Malone hit
a jump shot at the 6:44 mark, Anderson followed with a layup and
Hornacek hit another jumper for the 63-57 lead.

Malone scored 17 points in the first half, which ended with the
Jazz holding a 36-34 lead.